People & Programs To Watch in 2015: Mideast

The continued shifting of the political sands in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the Palestinian Authority, greater industrial development among the Arabian Gulf states and an Israel always preparing for the next possible conflict will help shape 2015’s outlook in the Middle East.

More collaboration is seen among gulf states both through Emirates Defense Industries Co. (EDIC) and a new Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) military command. Israel will see a new defense chief while national elections also are scheduled for March, and the presidents of Egypt and the Palestinian Authority continue to consolidate power while pursuing their agendas.

GULF NATIONS

Region: Expect a big showing by Emirates Defense Industries Co. at February’s International Defence Exhibition 2015 in Abu Dhabi. EDIC will comprise 11 companies from the subsidiaries of Abu Dhabi government-owned Mubadala Development Co., Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Investment and serve as the GCC’s first national military industrial complex.

Unified GCC Command: The new Gulf Cooperation Council military command will rapidly take shape following December’s summit in Doha. The bloc also wants to set up a joint naval force that the Saudis have stated will be 100,000 strong. US President Barack Obama has cleared foreign military sales for the command.